Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) 2025
Achievement Report: SFU Triumphs at Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) 2025
Date: 1 September 2025
Prepared by: Dr. Ken IP
Position: Assistant Professor, the Rita Tong Liu School of Business and Hospitality Management & Associate Director, Innovative Incubation Centre (IIC)
Overview
The Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) is one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious and competitive entrepreneurship initiatives, designed to identify and nurture future innovation leaders. Since its inception, CUPP has become the gold standard for university-level entrepreneurship development, offering intensive mentorship, international exposure, and access to venture funding.
In 2025, the competition attracted over 1,000 entries from leading Hong Kong universities, including UGC-funded institutions, yet only 20 teams were selected to advance to the next stage.
SFU’s Exceptional Journey
This year marks a historic milestone for Saint Francis University (SFU) and the Innovative Incubation Centre (IIC):
- From 1,000+ entries to Top 20: Under the mentorship of Prof. Susana Yuen, Dean of BHM and Director of IIC, and Dr. Ken Ip, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the IIC, SFU’s nominated team—Spark Legacy D-Day, formed by three part-time students from the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Management (Honours) in Design Business (BEMDB) programme—was shortlisted among the Top 20 finalists, securing their place in the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp at Draper University in Silicon Valley.
- 10 Days in Silicon Valley (1–10 August 2025): Dr. Ip personally accompanied the team for the intensive 10-day Boot Camp at Draper University, where they received world-class entrepreneurship training, one-on-one mentorship, and pitching opportunities with global investors. This experience not only elevated the team’s business acumen but also showcased SFU’s commitment to hands-on, experiential learning at an international level.
- Return to Hong Kong – The Final Challenge: After Silicon Valley, the team returned to Hong Kong to prepare for the ultimate test—the CUPP 2025 Final Pitch Day, held on 29 August 2025 at Cyberport.
The Victory
Against elite competition from top universities, SFU’s Spark Legacy D-Day delivered an outstanding pitch, impressing judges with their innovative Web3-powered e-will solution leveraging blockchain for secure, future-proof legacy management.
The results:
- Top 10 Finalist in CUPP 2025
- HK$100,000 Seed Funding from Cyberport Creative Micro Fund
- Special Award – “Most Engaging Team”
This double recognition—financial backing plus a coveted special award—cements SFU’s reputation as a serious contender in Hong Kong’s innovation and startup ecosystem.
Why This Matters
- Prestige and Visibility: CUPP is a high-profile programme recognised by industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. Our success places SFU among the most innovative institutions in Hong Kong.
- Academic Excellence Meets Real-World Impact: The winning team’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of the BEMDB programme and the Innovative Incubation Centre in transforming classroom knowledge into market-ready solutions.
- Leadership and Mentorship: This achievement reflects BHM’s pivotal role in mentoring the team from ideation to final pitch, guiding them through every stage—from initial concept development to Silicon Valley Boot Camp and Hong Kong investor pitching.
Next Steps
- Public Recognition: Feature this achievement across SFU’s official channels (website, social media, newsletters) and prepare a media release.
- Continuous Support: IIC will continue to incubate Spark Legacy D-Day, supporting product development and scaling strategies.
- Strategic Leverage: Explore partnerships with Cyberport and Draper University for future collaboration and talent development opportunities.
Key Highlights in Numbers
- Entries Received: 1,000+
- Teams Selected for Draper Boot Camp: 20
- Final Pitch Result: Top 10
- Awards Won: 2 (HK$100,000 Seed Fund + Most Engaging Team)
- SFU Leadership: Mentored and led by Prof Yuen and Dr. Ip, representing SFU at every stage
Prepared by:
Dr. Ken IP
Assistant Professor, Rita Tong Liu School of Business and Hospitality Management
Associate Director, Innovative Incubation Centre